Granger & Co

Time Out says

3 out of 5 stars

Details

Users say
(48)

3 out of 5 stars

Time Out says

3 out of 5 stars

This is the first UK outlet from Australian Bill Granger (restaurateur and author of a number of cookery books). Notting Hill has taken to this simply decorated, no-bookings eaterie with a passion – queues form at weekends for brunch, and even early in the week the tightly packed tables and stools along the bar are fully occupied. It’s no wonder: the room is appealing and light-filled, the global menu inventive without being alarming, and the cooking assured.

There are snacks (crispy salt and pepper squid with lime aïoli), starters (ceviche salmon with grapefruit, avocado and sesame), pasta dishes, a steak and a burger, plus a range of globe-trotting dishes; lunch sees more soups, sandwiches and salads. At dinner, both the beef burger (which came with tomato relish and pickled courgette, and had a proper meaty taste) and fried brown rice packed with crab, chorizo and kimchee (punchy in all the right ways) passed with flying colours; the next table enthused about tumeric-spiced chicken with ’slaw, and lime and coconut dressing.

Prices are on the high side, but portions are generous – especially the puddings. A heap of banana fritters were perfectly matched with caramel and honey ice-cream, and a bowl-like white chocolate and pistachio pavlova groaned under a mass of strawberries and rosewater cream.

I love Granger & Co, it's fresh and light with a great atmosphere. The food is really interesting and great pairings of different tastes, lovely coffee and fantastic for breakfast, brunch or lunch whether catching up with friends, a business breakfast or a date. I still haven't been in the evening but it's on my list.

I went to the Notting Hill restaurant with a new date for a romantic dinner, the food was good but within an hour or so of leaving I was feeling so nauseous I had to get a cab home as I didn't want to be sick on the bus, made it home just in time to spent the rest of the evening violently ill. I rang up the next day to complain, got a half hearted apology and told I would be referred to a 3rd party who I was assured would call me that day, after 3 days of hearing nothing back I called again and spoke to the manager who hadn't found time to pass my details on, later that day I got sent an email from Food Alert the 3rd party asking questions then spoke to one of their consultants on the phone, a week or so later I got an email back saying they'd investigated the matter and could find no fault in Granger & Co, 3 weeks later and I've heard nothing back from the restaurant at all.

I feel their customer service is woefully lacking and can't recommend any place that treats a customer that's paid for a pricey meal and in return has their evening ruined and ends up vomiting for the rest of it too.

"title"

"title"

I'm a long-term Bill Granger fan, and having frequented the original Sydney cafe many a time, I had high expectations of Granger & Co. Happily, the experience is exactly the same, from the light-filled, bustling and homely atmosphere, the weekend morning queues, the excellent coffee and even some Australian-accented waiters. And the food is great - classic Bill's fare. The staff execute the menu excellently.
I am particularly fond of details such as communal tables, magazines and papers to read, and the Sunday-morning-at-home feel of the place. For me, this place is about brunch - next time, leave the burgers and squid and get in there early for a big Aussie breakfast, best-ever scrambled eggs, corn fritters, or ricotta and honeycomb butter hotcakes (my fave).

I've visited Granger & Co twice in the last four months and both times i've been impressed with deliciously fresh food and exceptional coffee (they serve an incredible soya macchiato). The restaurant felt fresh, open and airy without making me feel too exposed. The atmosphere was bustling but not overwhelmingly busy. Try the indulgent ricotta hotcakes, served with honeycomb butter, maple syrup and bananas. Also, the rich and creamy scrambled eggs with sourdough bread. A fantastic breakfast treat to set you up for a day wandering around the charming streets of Notting Hill or Portobello Road.

Absolutely love this place. Having been to Australia and developed a great fondness for 'Bill's' (the original Australian version), I was extremely excited to visit Granger & Co when it first opened in London. You never know if the quality will still be there but I'm extremely pleased to say that it is! I must even confess that I like Granger & Co more than the original. The interior is lovely, with options to sit at the bar or to have table service, and the menu is virtually the same (from what I can remember). The main things are that the coffee is amazing and Ricotta Hotcakes are still on the menu! Last time my boyfriend and I tried the scrambled eggs and couldn't get over how good, and well-presented they were. There s a queue at weekends, but as far as I'm concerned it is well worth queueing for. We live in Surrey and will happily make the journey into town for a late brekkie here.

the staff are appallingly rude and have attitude problems. when I asked for an americano, I was given a single espresso in a large espresso cup, still minute. on trying to explain I would like a standard size cup, I was advised to switch to tea .on asking whether other customers did, I was told nobody ever wanted anything else but an espresso.
the manager then came over and basically told us to put up or shut up-so we left.
not impressed, bill granger!!!

Long queues at the door so you think you are in line for something great. We found it a bit disappointing. Food was okay but not great. Service and food quality wise I would say a bit over prized. Very noisy inside, so not a place for a nice and quiet breakfast. Def not the best breakfast in town.

Went there for dinner on 7th march, was very pleasantly surprised after reading mixed reviews here! The service was quick and attentive throughout, the atmosphere was very lively (considering it wasn't even a weekend) and everything we ordered was cooked to perfection! Will be back for brunches, lunches and dinners in the summer, when the outside mood matches the inside.

The food is great, service is quick and the chill, laid back atmosphere made the wait enjoyable. I felt I was back home in NY!! Going back there soon. A few more vegetarian dishes would be welcome though...

Just came back from dinner here, it has become my favourite place.
The atmosphere was lovely and buzzing, but sufficiently chilled out to keep you relaxed on a busy Saturday evening, the food was gorgeous and the service was really faultless, it's a shame they don't take bookings on busy evenings as it would be nice to reserve in advance.
Definitely go, it's a great place for a date or also for a catch up with good friends.

Like other locals eagerly awaiting the arrival of a much needed casual dining experience in our neighborhood, great expectations unfortunately have not been met.
Not to judge too quickly I have tried to avoid criticizing however my most recent visit was excruciatingly disappointing. The biggest let down is actually the staff. Whether under staffed or inefficient, patrons will be virtually abandoned. Typically you'll arrive to a lengthy queue standing outside, the host will not greet you warmly with a smile, you be told a substantial waiting time. Entering the dining room you be sure to notice the terrible acoustics - this place is just loud. You'll be seated and menus may or may not be provided at that time. You most likely wait at least 20 minutes before your order is taken and that might only be because you've flagged down a member of staff. If you're thinking of ordering a coffee - you'll be waiting a very long time. Food orders come out from the kitchen at a snails pace - we waited 40 minutes just for soup. Be sure to tell your server if you need anything when you have the chance because you'll most likely be stranded and not checked on. The food may be good but the overall experience takes far too much energy and effort. Locals are beginning to be less forgiving and are choosing other options for dining where they are treated far better.

So glad Bill has a place in the UK, I've been holding out for this since visiting one of his Sydney cafes a couple of years ago. Big Bill fan!
It was great, shame about no bookings (had to the queue in the rain) but was expected. Service great and sweetcorn fritters and coffee both excellent. Will be making a habit it of it on a Saturday morning.

After the lamenting the lack of a Bill's Sydney style cafe in London for many years I was quite excited about the opening of Grainger and Co but am left underwhelmed. While the coffee is good and menu similar, the service is a bit hit and miss and the restuarant layout is cramped and awkward. I guess like many places in London - it will be probably best enjoyed after the hype has died down and during the offpeak opening hours.

I love the jelly and ice cream with honeycomb that they serve up at Granger and Co. In fact I've loved every mouthful that has passed my lips on my two visits to this cool new establishment in WestBourne Grove. Just thinking about the burger and it's brioche bun that I had on my last visit is making my mouth water. A great selection and variety on the menu, I can't wait for my next visit so that I can work my way further through the menu! Excellent and reasonable wine list, with great staff recommendations. The busy restaurant has a fantastic buzz and feels like a really dynamic place for dining. My experience with the restaurant staff has been consistently positive, polite, friendly, attentive, and despite the queues of people waiting to get in, I've never felt like I've been pushed to leave. I cannot wait for my next visit and my next helping of jelly and ice cream!

I've visited more than once now and have been impressed on each occasion. I really like the unpretentious food - try the chicken schnitzel or the meatballs, both are excellent - and, contrary to what others have said, have found the service to be polite and friendly. I'd definitely go back.

I went here for a birthday meal for my mum, a bit risky given no booking option but luckily there was a table available. I did notice other people waiting after us but I think it is to be expected of a popular restaurant, a waitress explained that people are given the option to come back later with an estimate time and will be given priority on their return when I asked about the queue forming at the front. I found all the staff to be very attentive and friendly as so am very suprised by other diners comments and it was a busy evening service as well. The food was very impressive, especially the tempura starter and I loved the spiced nuts. I was not aware of what Bill Grainger cooked before I dined here but there were a lot of tempting things on the menu and can't wait to go back again.

Had lunch on the weekend at Granger and Co., what an amazing experience. It was packed from the moment we arrived and was still packed two hours later when we left. Had the Ricotta Hotcakes and they were 100% worth the hype. Understandably a wait at the door but well worth it and can't wait to go back.

awful service. terrible hostesses, terrible manager - frightfully understaffed on the floor.
a no reservations policy only works if people get seated in an egalitarian fashion. a host or hostess needs to have charm. this is not the case at granger & co.
half of the servers are efficient and friendly and managed a pack dining room well. the other have had no clue what they were doing and delivered wrong orders just like rachel green from friends.
still the best scrambled eggs in town, and good coffee. but everything else was disappointing.
i've been enjoying granger's establishments for over a decade and never been so disappointed.
avoid until management improves.

Epic fail.
Went today with girlfriend and her friend.
I cannot dispute the quality of the food, but the service with the exception of one waiter, left as vast amount to be desired.
I note the review above uses the word 'Chaos' and this, in my view is entirely accurate.
I will not be returning.

The perfect brunch stop. Great coffee, a relaxed atmosphere and the staff were all very friendly and attentive on my visit. We opted for the coconut bread, bran muffins and scrambled eggs and thoroughly enjoyed the lot.

I miss PIX. Pix was the previous restaurant before Granger&Co took over. I has crab rice which was salty and it came with cold shredded eggs. Very strange combo. Worst of all, the waiting girl was horrible. Maybe because I came in my jogging cloths and didn't look posh! The only good point- our waiter was lovely - he was very polite and said sorry when he saw the uneaten food.

Solid main courses and excellent pavlova. The cashews to start are memorable. Menu or atmosphere aren't anything more or less special than expected for a low priced brunch-driven weekend spot in Notting Hill. Staff was friendly except for hostess who seems to say "45 minutes wait" even when tables are available. Align expectations to reality and this is a good choice.

We were a bit dubious trying Granger and Co given the recent reviews but we had a lovely time this morning. We perched up at the bar as it was very busy, and even though we thought we'd have preferred a table actually agreed the bar was great, and enjoyed the atmosphere and friendly coffee boys and waiting staff. We agree the service was a bit slow and we had to request things like Salt and Pepper and water, but the food and coffee was great. This is London, not Australia and if you remember that, and the effect that demand has we highly recommend trying it.

Masively dissapointing. Strange mix of dishes on the menu, over priced, flavourless, overcooked food (I could of cooked far better/tastier at home). A slice of bread (NO butter or oil) was £3.50 - for 1 slice!! Far better places to eat in the area. Will not be going back.

Completely agree with the attitude at the door. Tip to the owner: The greeter needs to be replaced and her attitude is reflected in the rest of the personnel. The service is nothing better than average but my experience was appalling in an empty restaurant. With this kind of attitude toward customers this place is going to take a long swan dive into oblivion.

One word - DIsappointing! - I'm a big fan of Bill's restaurants in Sydney & a long time patron - but I will not be recommeding this one. I recommended it to friends based on Bill's reputation, but the head waiter was unhelpful - not pointing out that there were enough seats for my friends & I at the bar, the staff were woefully inexperienced - we were even asked if we wanted to put the order in for our main, which we thought had already been done, then asked repeatedly if it all was ok to the point of embarrassment - to top it off the waiters did not return with my change, I only got it back when I asked for it.
I will not be coming for a second time, a big shame to be let down by poor servicel as it had a lot of promise - & the food was good.
Not a patch on Sydney Bill's

We have been to this restaurant for both brunch and dinner. We waited for over half an hour each time for a table which we did not mind. To our utter disappointment however the service was atrocious, the food was nothing exceptional and certainly overpriced. Bill you certainly need to brush up on the service.

We arrived bright and early on Sunday morning and got a table straight away. The restaurant is beautifully designed and, as long-time fans of Bill, we thought the scrambled eggs, hotcakes and flat whites were all superb; just as we'd hoped. As for the comments about service, surely all new restaurants take time to perfect this. Congratulations and good luck to Granger&Co! We look forward to our next visit.

Shambolic - the service was awful and the staff were rude and were actually sarcastic to us when we changed our mind and decided to order some food. We had originally planned to have a drink at the counter. We ordered some sort of zucchini tempura dish that was dripping in oil and really unpalatable. The staff didn't know what they were doing - they have some big teething problems to iron out. I found it overpriced and underwhelming.

best scrambled eggs ever! Buzzing atmosphere, we dropped by for a late lunch on a Monday afternoon and got the only remaining table. 5 stars for food, waiting staff seemed unsure of themselves, clearing one plate at a time and bring one drink to the table at a time.

I've been getting hunger pangs for weeks waiting for Bill to open. OK, I had to wait a bit but it can't have been much more than 5-6 minutes and the staff were almost as smiley as Bill himself. The ricotta cakes were even fluffier than I remember from Sydney days and a lot easier to get my hands on now. Ahhh. Looking forward to my next fix.

Despite the comments already posted on this site, on the contrary I think the food is fantastic and it certainly serves the best coffee in West London!! I love the atmosphere and cosy decor, it adds a much needed refreshing touch to the London restaurant scene. It is just unfortunate the service staff have let down the restaurant on its opening. Every new restaurant has teething problems when it first opens and I would say this is why. The first time I tried to get in the matradee looked flustered and stressed and she was very unfriendly. The second I went was at 4pm on a Sunday when there were free tables and the staff were more relaxed. I arrived late, ordered late and the staff were extremely accommodating and had my lunch at the table with everyone elses within 10 mintues of arriving. Obviously the service is erratic.
I just think the staff can't cope the amount of people in the opening week and not taking bookings really complicates it. This coupled with new staff I think is the reason for the erratic service. If there is any advice I can give is move to a booking system and then take walk-ins when tables are free, so you can plan staffing and it is not as chaotic as what I have seen over the last week. Also most people don't want to plan to go to a resturant with friends when they are not assured of getting a table and may have to cue for an hour. The couple of times I have wanted to go I have booked back up restaurants in case we don't get in and 2 times out of 3 I have had to use it.

omg where do i start.. 10 minutes wait to receive water and take drinks order, 45 minutes wait for drinks (and 5 drinks all came at different times), food also all came at different times and was average and saw our coffees sitting up on the bar for at least 5 minutes before they came to the table. very disappointing experience.. they badly need to sort out the management of this restaurant.. can't believe i queued to get in..

Appalling. Big fan of Bill's Sydney but this is a misfire so far. Staff terrible, service remarkably slow and the food was barely average. Needs to significantly lift its game. As the other review says below, not a patch on St Ali which is the gold standard in London as far as I'm concerned for Australian style food.

Overall very disappointing. Really wanted to like this place but with surly, slow, inattentive service and flavourless, overpriced food I couldn't leave fast enough. It may be busy now but I doubt there will be much repeat custom. You're much better off going to Lantana or Ottolenghi. Not doing Australia proud!

Great food, (scrambled eggs are a must try) great atmosphere, great venue. Can't fault apart from the fact, although it's only been open a week, you'll probably have to wait for a table which is a sign of something good. Enjoy!

I thought it was going to be laid back Aussie cool like St Ali and Kopapa but it was surprisingly formal (maybe aimed at Notting Hill types?).
And the veggie choice was dismal. Just one starter of about 30 or so dishes. Hawksmoor, St John and Byron are better at veg dishes than Bill. Poor show.